Stopped using Minoxidil after 2.5 weeks. Is this a bad decision?

Question

I used it just for 2.5 weeks for my frontal thinning and decided to stop yesterday, after feeling increased anxiety (I already have general anxiety disorder) and headaches. Is anxiety really one of the possible side effects? I feel like the hair loss got faster recently. Do the ‘shedding stage’ start at the first two weeks? Will it be keeping on shedding after stopping to use? Will I get those recently lost hair back even though I stop using Minoxidil? Is stopping after 3 weeks a problem?

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

Stopping minoxidil is a good idea for anyone not comfortable with any aspect of the drug. Anxiety is not directly a possible side effects.  Shedding can start in the first two weeks and even if one stops the shedding can go on 1-2 months. Most of the hairs will come back.

Alba Reyes, MD · Answer

There is always an increase of shedding in the first weeks, when you start to use Minoxidil. anxiety is not on the side effects of Minoxidil but headache is.....and also dandruff. it is never a good idea to play around with Minoxidil... using then not... using then not because that always has a negative effect on your hair loss in general.

Kulakarn Amonpattana, MD · Answer

Only 3 weeks time is too short to tell the optimal effect of Minoxidil. If you continue to use it might see the better result at 6-8 months. At the moment,the hair can possibly shed from the medication itself or from your underlying mental stress.

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Stopped using Minoxidil after 2.5 weeks. Is this a bad decision?

Answers (3)

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